Betrayal betrays the betrayer

By Glen BerdNo Comments
About the Author Peter John Beyfus is an historian, published author, poet, and a person who prides himself on “thinking outside the box”. Shanah Tova Umetukah "In response to the shameful decision of the British Government and many other nations to recognise a Palestinian state, I thought I would share with you my thoughts on this ill-conceived declaration, the long-term consequences of which have yet to reveal themselves; but one thing is certain, it will not bode well for world Jewry! Best wishes, and well over the fast" The declaration of some 150 states, including the United Kingdom, to recognise a Palestinian state, shows at best a profound ignorance of what constitutes a state and at worse a wilful attempt, under the guise of nurturing peace, to undermine Israel and give to vociferous Muslim minorities a voice far exceeding their numbers and national importance. Starmer et al have ventured on a dangerous game that will do nothing to achieve their objective, to finally solve the...
Read More

LJW – A Musical Extravaganza

By Glen Berd3 Comments
Wednesday 13th August - the Shul was host to the Fylde Group of the League of Jewish Women's Annual Afternoon Tea. And what a Musical Extravaganza it was !  Elaine Green on violin accompanied by Graham Barber on keyboard entertained with what can only be described as A Class Act. The music - popular tunes from the musicals as well as old standards, and included a fabulous Gershwin section. It was beautifully played and thoroughly appreciated by the spellbound audience. In addition to the scrumptious 3 course Afternoon Tea provided by the Ladies Social Circle, there was a table quiz, an interactive game, and our notoriously famous raffle. We were delighted that so many people supported the event from Manchester, Southport, Leeds and even Leicester. ...
Read More

BBQ Report 2025

By Glen Berd1 Comment
Well, it didn't rain!  It was gloriously sunny until just before the start of the BBQ, but the clouds were friendly and the breeze was light, so this year the weather was with us.  Perhaps the Rabbi had a word with the Boss? But most importantly,  we must say a huge thank you to the Red Arrows who very kindly treated us to a low but noisy flyover, as the entertainment of the day.  It hadn't been easy to arrange, but the boys in red came through for us 😀. To say the garden was heaving would be an understatement.  They came from far and wide - well Manchester,  Southport and Leeds in the main, with a couple specially arriving from Leicester.   The M6 was it's usual pain in the xx*#, with long queues coming for the Blackpool Airshow, making the usual 45mins from Manchester, into a 2 hour treck. But this year was a record with over 80 (that's the number...
Read More

Israel: At the Crossroads

By Glen BerdNo Comments
Israel: At the Crossroads Aug 3, 2025, 2:35 PM by Peter Beyfus Some western democracies have once again scored a home goal with their latest proclaimed gesture politics in announcing recognition of a Palestinian state in September, if Israel, cast as the aggressor, does not agree to a ceasefire in Gaza and allow the aid agencies full access to the strip to feed the “starving millions”. Reluctantly, the British Prime Minister has hurriedly qualified Britain’s demands by adding the remaining hostages must be released and Hamas should have no further involvement in the governance of the Palestinian people. What Macron, Starmer, Carney have done, and a host of other international leaders, some of whom might be regarded as democratic, while others are certainly not, is to incentivise Hamas to delay agreeing to a ceasefire and holding on to the hostages for an indefinite period, hoping Israel will be anathematised by the international community. This plan assumes the pressure will increase on Israel,...
Read More

Rabbi Danny Met A Man ..

By Glen Berd2 Comments
Today Thursday July 24 I was walking in St Anne’s to The local Aldi. As I approached the entrance I passed by a man who was also about to enter the shop. He made eye contact with me and then introduced himself: “Hello I am from the local area and I understand you are Jewish”.   Well yes I was wearing my kippah and my tzitzit were hanging at the sides!   He then continued “I just want to tell you that whilst I am critical of the Israeli government I am not antisemitic “   He ended “ I am fully supportive of the Palestinian people”.   I asked him if what he meant by “fully supportive” included Hamas continuing to rule in Gaza. To his credit he said no.   I explained that Israel are doing their very best to destroy Hamas and this involves separating the Palestinian people from Hamas. This was of course weakening Hamas rule over the people - a key strategy in the regime’s survival - and...
Read More

The Day the Golden Girls Came

By Glen Berd4 Comments
St.  Anne's Shul was delighted to host the Golden Girls from Whitefield Chabad, accompanied by Rebbetzen Sara Jaffe, to brunch and a tour of the shul, prior to their day out in Lytham. Lovely photos. I great day out in St. Annes. Thanks Sorah for organising the food. Thanks to the ladies committee of St. Annes shul for making us so welcome and providing and serving us tea and coffee xx Beautiful pictures.Thank you to Sora and committee for lovely lunch.St Anne's shul for there warm hospitality. A great day out with glorious weather. Ruth Lewis. Thank Sora,and the committee for a wonderful day to St Anns,and Lytham. Beautiful lunch, great Welcome to the Beautiful Shul and great welcome we got when we arrived very lucky with the weather as well in all a fabulous day. Thank you. Xxx CHABAD LADIES LUNCH – 21st July Ladies, it’s our pleasure to welcome you to our shul and...
Read More